FEBRUARY 2008

MEETING NOTES by Cathy Gillis
JAN 10th - Mark your calendars for the 80th Anniversary celebration of Braddock Rotary, Station Brake Cafe, Wilmering: January 24, 6 pm....
Friday 15, there will be a Valentine Day Dance, at Churchill Country Club, sponsored by Turtle Creek and Monroeville Sunrise Clubs. See Dean about details ( A table of 10 will cost $450, a savings of $5 pp.
Last Saturday at Produce to People,helpers from our club were: Gus Gray and granddaugher, Alexis; Paul Costa and son Dominic, and Cathy and Skip Gillis. NOTE: Next Produce to People Saturday ( around 8--9 a.m.) Blazing Bingo, Ninth and Talbot. February 2.

Continue to bring in non perishables for Sullivan's Food Drive. Monies are gratefully accepted and passsed along for the Community Food Bank to purchase food.

Speaker was a biking buddy of John L Sullivan's: Michael C Pascal.
"Why Health Care Costs so much"
Four 'Drivers' are:1) People are aging but also living longer.
2) Cessation of many from smoking
3) Obesity
4) Uninsured patients
Be Informed, Be Healthy.

No 50 50 :-( hopefully there will be one next week.

FEB 7th - Ron Gaydos introduced a guest, Hilary Blaker who works for Mayor Fetterman.
Announcements: Heather Mantella, Librarian on leave, gave birth last month to a girl. We signed a especially designed card, celebrating the new arrival. Mom and baby are doing great.

A thank you note was read by Madame President Deana.
" Dear Valued Contributor,
The Woodland HIlls High School Student Leadership class would like to thank you for your gnerous donation to the December 2007 "Race for Grace." We are proud to say that with your help, we have raised $11,300 for Grace Ekis and the Child Life Department of Children's Hospital.
With Gratitude, The Student Leadership Class."

Vice President Dave Perla shared some heart felt words about this neighbor and friend, who like him, has a dear young daughter, named Grace. Thank you Dave for making this valiant girl more real to us, as she battles an unoperable brain tumor.

Tom Michlovic reported that 5 Rotarians helped to bag produce for about 350 families on Saturday Feb 2: Ron Gaydos (and family) Gus Gray, Cathy and Skip Gillis and Tom. NOTE: the next Produce to People is the SECOND Saturday of March, March 8, Blazing Bingo, Ninth and Talbot.

We are hoping John L Sullivan and his son Brad is having a productive time in the Biloxi MS area, as part of the Rotary sponsored helpers for victims of "Katrina". Next week we hope to have an early report from John about his time there.

Friday February 15, is the District's Valentine Dinner and Dance. Call Deana Nell or Bob Rupp, Turtle Creek, if you and your Sweetheart plan to attend. IT is at the Churchill CC.

Amy Starrett, fresh back from sunny Florida, welcomed Debbie Rabel from the Elks, our home away from home for January and February. A Familiar face (around Good Shepherd Ladies Guils) to all, Debbie is the Past District Exalted Ruler of the Elks. She spoke very eloquently about the benevolent society the Elks are: emphasizing Patriotic causes and charity work. They spend time and money for children with muscular disabilites and visiting vets and vets hospitals, to name only two of many endeavors. The Elks began in 1886 with a group of NY actors and now its Foundation is worth over $165 billion. Locally there are 160 members, 40 of which are most active.
Winner of the 50-50 was Skip Gillis who donated the $16 winnings to The Elks.

COMING UP
Produce to People - NOTE - MARCH 8th

RECENT SERVICE
January 5th - Produce to People - helpers from our club were: Gus Gray and grand daugher, Alexis; Paul Costa and son Dominic, and Cathy and Skip Gillis.
February 2nd - Produce to People - Participating with several Rotarians at the Feb 2 Produce to People were 7 members of the WHHS Interact Club. They helped cut bags of onions and potatoes, stack boxes of juice, count oranges, give out bananas and assist the people with their late boxes of produce to their cars.
Rotarians present were: Gus Gray, Skip and Cathy Gillis, Tom Michlovic, Paul Costa (also some staff and children), the the Ron Gaydos family.

CELEBRATIONS
Braddock Rotary 80th Anniversary Celebration at the Station Brake Cafe in Wilmerding on January 24th. About 10 people from Gus Gray's family came to help us celebrate his being named the Rotarian of the Year. Now this "man of few words" can't contain his excitement!

NOTE: Board meeting minutes from January 10th and February 7th are available from the Secretary.